The Portland daily press., 1887-01-25

on pretence without reality OF any lnterIer-
ence either with treaty or with local regu-
lation or law by American vessels 1t is
said that in one instance there has been an
expression of regret for the act Of lowering
the American flag. do not see that the low
ering of the American flag is in substance an
offence for which we have any more reason
to complain than taking custody without the
actual right Of American vessels, the 0fiic-
ers and crews when they are about their law
ful business. The apology which has been
accorded acc to us Is not an apology which is
ON the part of Great Britain. but simple
communication from the minister of his re-
gret at the act of local dependence. The alb
sence OF other expressions Of regret, either
Tor single action to which this relates or for
serious offences or 0utrages of which that
Is but one is more significant The matter
as 1t seems to me, then, is the single express
sion which has been communicated to our
minister by the British representative ac-
credited to this government. 1t is high
time, as 1t seems to me, that this bill was
passed.
Mr.. Morgan said there was no war in this
measure. There was peace in it and nothing
else; But IL the troubles were allowed to go
on tnere would be war in them, and war be-
yond the control of Congress- The first
blood that would be drawn in a controversy
OF this kind on the Canadian coast would be
the toesin Of war. The people Of the United
States would be plunged into war by IL as
raid at Harper's Ferry; and they would 20
into it unanimously. The American fisher
men would find in the defence Of their rights
Just as much support on the Gulf of Mexico
as on the coast of Maine.
Mr.. Evarts argued in support of the bill
which he said was not in the nature Of
menace or tending at all In that direction Ii
was the duty of Congress to take the sub
Iect away from local disturbance, irritation
and resentment.
Mr.. Hale declared himself earnestly in
1avor OF the bill Its provisions were not
harsh but moderate, not rash but well con-
sldered, and he believed If these provisions
were enacted into law and carried out by the
executive, it would be efficacious. The stu-
alton for years past has been simply intoler-
able aggression on the American fishery in
terests by the Dominion authorities. it has
been persisted in against every expostula-
ton and entreaty on the part of the United
States. They were such as had never been
submitted to since the infant days Of the
republic. He was bound to brave those
aggressions and those assaults ON the rights
OF American citizens, (high handed as they
had BEEN had 1t not been brought about by
accident, but were the result of deliberate
premedltatlon and predetermination. He
had come to the conclusion that they were
part of a deliberate arranged plan
on the part of the Canadian gov
ernment backed up in a great degree.
or endorsed, by the British government.
He knew of no precedent where fair nego-
tiation by representatives of any two powers
had taken place that the acts complained of
had not for time ceased; and if these acts
did not cease, he repeated, that was the end
OF the negotiations and there must be some
other process resorted to. The last dread
process is an appeal to that most formidable
trlbunal-deelared hostilities of war He
congratulated the committee on having
found this remedy in legislation for the pres
ent. Direct and prompt enforcement of the
provisions shutting Canadian products from
the ports OF the United States would he be-
lieved, cause it to be seen by our Canadian
neighbors that the United States is thor
oughly in earnest; that it appreciates their
purpose; that 1t realizes how deep laid is
their plan, and that it has recourse at once
TO retallatory measures that will bring those
nelghb0rs to their senses. That would lead
to condition where, If further negotiations
were desirable or practicable, the way would
be cleared, but until the American Congress
should send this note, not of menace, but OF
warning, to our Canadian sneighbors, these
things would continue.
Mr.. Vest deprecated any talk of war. al
though he believed if it became necessary TO
protect the rights of the humblest citizens OF
the United States, the whole country, with
out regard to section, would rise i'm n solid
phalanx to protect those rights.
Mr.. Gorham proposed to withdraw from
tory.
Mr.. Riddleberger opposed the blu because
II was in the nature of a treaty with Great
Britain. He wanted no treaty.
;, The bill was passed-yeas, 46; nays, Rid-
dleberger.)
Mr. Beck gave notice that he would tomor-
row ask the Senate to take up the bill to
prohibit members Of Congress acting as at
torneys for railroad ccrportions.
The Senate then at o'clock adjourned
HOUSE.
The House transacted but little business
and adjourned early.